Diocese of Elphin announces series of pilgrimages through Holy Door

Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, is inviting all parishes in the diocese to participate in a series of pilgrimages to the Holy Door of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo, as part of the celebrations of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

The six pilgrimages will take place on a number of Saturdays over the coming months. The diocese will also be marking the Jubilee Year of Mercy with events in each of the six deanery towns as well as pilgrimages to Lough Derg and World Youth Day, Poland.

The dates of the pilgrimages are as follows:

Saturday 30 April: Boyle and Sligo Deaneries

Saturday 28 May: Athlone Deanery

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July: Sligo Deanery

Saturday 20 August: Castlerea Deanery

Saturday 1 October: Strokestown Deanery

More information can be found at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo.

A Holy Door usually refers to the special doors in the papal basilicas, opened during Jubilee years for pilgrims to pass through. As part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis encouraged all bishops to open a Holy Door of Mercy in their cathedrals. When Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in Saint Peter’s Basilica, he said: “To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.”